Ah, didn't realize you were talking career. I'd like a little more ice time for MZA, but he's definitely noticeable out there. Torts was sending a message about something in the 2nd that he didn't like, but I missed it, whatever it was.

I just watched the tape after having my own hockey game during the game, and didnt wanna come on here to see the score, so I am a bit late in my response.

One thing stands out to me. Torts does NOT trust Zucc one bit.
He is very good today (he has not been up to usual standard first two, but neither has rest of team) but he gets 11 min of icetime. You may claim this was not a game for Zucc, well how does he look great at every shift, creating things, being on ice for 3 out of 4 goals and nodding two assists then.

Sorry to say, but I do not believe Torts will ever trust Zucca or other great offensive minds and I am so sick of his "gut-feeling" it drives me nuts.

I would go so far as to say we would not win this game without Zuccarello.

I love this hobbit, and I am finally fed up with Torts.. I stood by him for a long time, but no more. Ironic that it would take a win to finally get me to reach my conclusion.

Think Zuke made a very good game under difficult circumstances. Yesterday morning he got a notice, though Norwegian media, that he is kicked out of the National team at the worlds (should Rangers exit in the 1st round) due to a sponsor deal he made, and it made him furious. Never heard him (or any other Norwegian international) speak more bluntly about the Norwegian Hockey Association before. He come out of two games below normal standards with declining minutes and people (Rosen among others) are once again questioning if he's got any business in the play offs, he's in the 2nd pp unit for third? game with Limited pp time, plays With Hags and Richards, at least the last one totally out of place and shape, and on top of that Torts clearly doesn't trust him, and even benches him for long stretches totalling TOI 11 minutes. Especially the 2-2 benching when he tried to block the shot and it snuck by him to deflect and roll by Hank must have felt brutal. He did what he was suppose to do, but it snuck by him and Torts had absolutely no patience with him and he didn't come back for the reminder of the 2nd. Didn't think he would be back in the third at all, but then he got a shift and things get going again, and the game winner comes. 2 assists, on the ice for 3 goals (he was for all practical reasons involved in TWO sucsessful PP as the last one just ended but player barely made it out of the door.) He never ceases to amaze me. Great game, and given the above, probably his most important performance for the Rangers, and for him self.

didn't realize his pp time was so low... that's surprising and silly considering richards played 2 minutes more of pp time, but the guy didn't need to be on even strength in this game when we were up a goal.

think i'm just trying to make excuses for torts(even though i hate him), but idk lol didn't seem like a game he needed to play major minutes in. we were scoring

didn't realize his pp time was so low... that's surprising and silly considering richards played 2 minutes more of pp time, but the guy didn't need to be on even strength in this game when we were up a goal.

think i'm just trying to make excuses for torts(even though i hate him), but idk lol didn't seem like a game he needed to play major minutes in. we were scoring

That's a good point. When thinking about it, seems a bit like Torts have made up his mind that he will play 5v5 when they are chasing from behind. Played 21 minutes the 1st game, then plummeted to 13 or so at the scoreless tragedey, and then now he didn't play anything after the game winner. Fair enough, but at you kinda need to score when it's a tie too, illustrated by Hank's recent regulation time shut out.

Can't see the Rangers letting him go and it'd be stupid to do so. Players with his skill set is rare even more on this team, we simply need him. He's a player that seems to glue with everyone on this team. If he of some reason isn't here come to next season who will take his spot?

He's still young and have getting better since his first time here, especially physical aspects seems to be stronger, faster witch obviously is important for a small guy. Can he take another step in his game we'll have a brilliant player for a long time hopefully.

Think Zuke made a very good game under difficult circumstances. Yesterday morning he got a notice, though Norwegian media, that he is kicked out of the National team at the worlds (should Rangers exit in the 1st round) due to a sponsor deal he made, and it made him furious. Never heard him (or any other Norwegian international) speak more bluntly about the Norwegian Hockey Association before. He come out of two games below normal standards with declining minutes and people (Rosen among others) are once again questioning if he's got any business in the play offs, he's in the 2nd pp unit for third? game with Limited pp time, plays With Hags and Richards, at least the last one totally out of place and shape, and on top of that Torts clearly doesn't trust him, and even benches him for long stretches totalling TOI 11 minutes. Especially the 2-2 benching when he tried to block the shot and it snuck by him to deflect and roll by Hank must have felt brutal. He did what he was suppose to do, but it snuck by him and Torts had absolutely no patience with him and he didn't come back for the reminder of the 2nd. Didn't think he would be back in the third at all, but then he got a shift and things get going again, and the game winner comes. 2 assists, on the ice for 3 goals (he was for all practical reasons involved in TWO sucsessful PP as the last one just ended but player barely made it out of the door.) He never ceases to amaze me. Great game, and given the above, probably his most important performance for the Rangers, and for him self.